CG Helo crash in Kodiak, AK

[Falconjet]

A Coast Guard H-60 helo crashed last night while conducting a Search and Rescue mission. There was a crew of 4 on the helo and evidently 6 people who they had hoisted off a sinking freighter. All of the CG crewmembers survived and have been recovered, however as far as I know right now the 6 seamen from the freighter are still missing.

I would imagine it would be darn near impossible to get out of a helo under water at night without the training that naval aviators (helo drivers in particular) go through, but I am hoping that they were able to get out and will be recovered as well.

The helo had already hoisted 18 people (I think) off the ship and had taken them to a nearby CG cutter when it crashed. No details on what caused the crash at all.

There is a story about it on cnn.com.

My prayers go out to the crewmen of the ship and their families.

FJ

 

[qmaster3]

Just heard this at the CG MSO office I work at. Falconjet, glad to hear your shipmates all survived, and second the prayers for the crewmen and their families.

 

[mudkow60]

It is a tribute to the Coast Guard that there are such few losses. Did you read the conditions those guys were out in? 20 foot swells? It is amazing that the crew made it out of the helo... we were told the -60 will go inverted and sink to about 10 feet in a matter of seconds.

Best wishes to the family and friends of the missing crewmen. Thanks to those of us who risk our lifes for others.